PORTRAIT OF A LADY

HENRY JAMES

Dr. M. Fahmy Raiyah

HENRY JAMES• Henry James was born in 1843.• He moved between America and

Europe for the first 20 years of his life, before he settled permanently in England.

• He is known for portraying the encounter of Americans with Europe and Europeans.

• Among James's works are Daisy Miller, The Bostonians, What Maisie Knew, The Wings of the Dove, The Ambassadors, The Turn of the Screw, Washington Square, and The Princess Casamassima.

• The Portrait of a Lady is published in 1881.

• James died in 1916.

These chapter summaries are adapted from the following websites:

• www.sparknotes.com• www.shmoop.com• www.cliffsnots.com

CHAPTER 1

It’s tea time. We meet three gentlemen: Mr. Touchett, An old, kind, and smart American expatriate; Lord Warburton, an English aristocrat; and Ralph, Mr. Touchett’s son. The Touchetts are originally from America and have lived in England for 30 years. Ralph’s mother, Mrs. Touchett, is coming to visit from the States with Ralph’s cousin, a young American lady. She sends a very brief telegram, mentioning that the girl is "quite independent."

“Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. There are circumstances in which, whether you partake of the tea or not—some people of course never do,—the situation is in itself delightful. Those that I have in mind in beginning to unfold this simple history offered an admirable setting to an innocent pastime. The implements of the little feast had been disposed upon the lawn of an old English country-house, in what I should call the perfect middle of a splendid summer afternoon.” (18)

CHAPTER 2Isabel Archer arrives at Gardencourt. Mrs Touchett goes

straight to her room. Ralph goes to meet his cousin, Isabel Archer. Isabel tells Ralph that he is to go to his mother’s chambers at a quarter to seven. Mrs. Touchett has locked herself in her room, as is her custom.

Mr. Touchett, Ralph invites Isabel to come and meet Mr Touchett. She discovers that his health has declined drastically.

Isabel meets also Lord Warburton, a friend of the Touchetts. All three gentlemen are quite interested in her, in different ways.

Ralph innocently comments that Mrs. Touchett has "adopted" Isabel. She seems offended by this statement and clarifies that her liberty is very important to her.

Lord Warburton declares that Isabel is his idea of an interesting woman.

CHAPTER 3 Mrs. Touchett insists on things just as she likes them. For

this reason, she keeps a house in Florence where she resides, while Mr. Touchett stays in England at Gardencourt.

Mrs. Touchett "discovered" Isabel at her deceased grandmother’s house in Albany, New York, where she spent most of her childhood. She read a lot of books on her own instead of going to school. We begin to see that Isabel is as independent as her aunt, even as a child.

The two ladies talk for about an hour, waiting for Isabel’s sister and brother-in-law, Lilian and Edmund, to return.

Mrs. Touchett offers Isabel the chance to go to Florence. Isabel is excited by the idea, but cannot promise to do everything Mrs. Touchett asks her to do.

NOTES Isabel's life from her own perspective and through

the perspectives of other characters.

the idea of Europe and the idea of America

Individualism and independence (represented by Isabel Archer vs. Social customs

The chapter takes us by means of flashback to Mrs Touchett’s visit of her nieces in Albany, New York.

CHAPTER 4

Of the three Archer sisters, Lilian is thought to be the practical one, Edith the beautiful one, and Isabel the "intellectual" one.Lilian is worried about her exceptional younger sister, who is something of a mystery to them.Mr. Archer, their father, was notorious for not handling money well, often gambling and spending frivolously. Despite all of this, Isabel remembers her father fondly.Isabel thinks her life is wonderful; she has had every privilege and has never wanted for anything. She is almost disappointed because she thinks that hardship would give her life a little spice – at least, that’s what the books she reads all suggest.

Although a lot of men courted Edith, most men overlook Isabel or feel intimidated by her intellectual reputation. However, we are told that she is quite beautiful in her own, unique way.

For about a year, Boston-based Caspar Goodwood has been steadfastly wooing Isabel via post. She finds him to be quite an impressive young man, but doesn’t really know how she feels about him yet.

Caspar travels from New York City to Albany to visit Isabel. She is slow to meet him and, despite the fact that he looks resolved to action, their visit is uneventful. He leaves, somewhat defeated.

NOTES

• Chapter 4 provides a deeper flashback into Isabel’s childhood ,upbringing, and growing up in America.

• The chapter through more light on Isabel’s character.

CHAPTER 5After attending both Harvard and Oxford (his father wanted him

to be both British and American), Ralph took a position at his father’s bank. At university, he was considered a very promising young man. Ralph considered his father to be his best friend and admired him very much.

Sadly, Ralph fell ill while working at the bank, and never quite recovered. As a result, he stopped working to take care of his health. We don’t know exactly what’s wrong with him, but he has weak lungs.

Ralph resigns himself to indifference in order to make his life seem less of a disappointment.

Ralph is quite taken with his cousin Isabel and asks his mother where she plans to take her for her European tour.

Mrs. Touchett plans to invite her to stay at Gardencourt for some weeks, then plans to take Isabel to France to buy clothes, and then to Florence in the autumn.

Ralph sits and talks with Isabel for an hour, while his parents chat, and Lord Warburton leaves to go home for dinner.

Ralph and Isabel look at the paintings in the house. Ralph is impressed with Isabel’s natural taste for art.

Isabel assumes that because Gardencourt is a large, old, very historic house, there’s a family ghost. Ralph confesses that there is one and that he has seen it, but Isabel can’t, because she hasn’t suffered enough yet. This conversation is half-joking, half-serious.

CHAPTER 6Isabel thinks quite highly of herself – actually, everyone

thinks quite highly of her. She’s intelligent, creative, and, most certainly, in the words of Lord Warburton, an interesting woman. Her pride is one of her distinguishing characteristics – though it can come off as arrogance sometimes, she is the first to admit when she’s made a mistake. Her greatest desire is to perfect herself.

Isabel’s best friend is Henrietta Stackpole, another independent, intelligent, and apparently quite interesting young woman. Henrietta is some kind of intrepid girl-reporter.

Isabel, like Henrietta, considers independence very important, and thinks that women should be able to live without men. She vaguely wonders about marriage, but has never been in love.

Isabel reminds Mr. Touchett of the young Mrs. Touchett.

Newly planted in English soil, Isabel is very curious to know about the country and its people. She asks Mr. Touchett if England really is how it’s depicted in books.

Mr. Touchett says that anything he’s learned he’s learned by observation and participation, not from second-hand sources.

Mr. Touchett says that English people are very "inconsistent," which pleases Isabel, since she herself is unpredictable, too.

“It was one of her theories that Isabel Archer was very fortunate in being independent, and that she ought to make some very enlightened use of that state. She never called it the state of solitude, much less of singleness; she thought such descriptions weak . . .” (56)

“Of course, among her theories, this young lady was not without a collection of views on the subject of marriage. The first on the list was a conviction of the vulgarity of thinking too much of it. From lapsing into eagerness on this point she earnestly prayed she might be delivered; she held that a woman ought to be able to live to herself, in the absence of exceptional flimsiness, and that it was perfectly possible to be happy without the society of a more or less coarse-minded person of another sex.” (57)

CHAPTER 7As interested as Isabel is in English society, she has seen very little of it. Mrs. Touchett has few contacts in the neighborhood, and Mr. Touchett and Ralph are accustomed to keeping to themselves. Lord Warburton is the lone exception. Mrs. Touchett doesn’t visit anyone in the neighborhood herself, but she does love it when people visit.Isabel asks her aunt what her national identity is. She claims that her point of view is distinctly American, but Mrs. Touchett’s is neither American nor English. Mrs. Touchett responds that her point of view is personal and not assigned to a nation. Isabel sees the sense in this. Isabel aligns herself so much as an American.Isabel doubts that Ralph really cares about anything, since he jokes so much and criticizes most things. Ralph says that he cares about her alone.

It turns out that he’s not completely joking about this. Ralph has worried ever since Mr. Touchett’s illness has gotten worse. He cannot bear the thought of living without his father.

Ralph thinks Isabel is fascinating and enjoys spending time with her. Ralph is Isabel’s tour guide. They go by horse and boat through the local countryside.

One day, upon their return, they find Lord Warburton chatting with Mrs. Touchett in the garden. Isabel had decided, upon first meeting Lord Warburton, that she liked him.

Lord Warburton stays at Gardencourt for a couple of days, clearly lured in by Isabel’s company. One night, Ralph, Isabel, Lord Warburton and Mrs. Touchett are in the drawing room. Mrs. Touchett gets up to retire for the night and expects Isabel to follow her.

Isabel says she would rather not, since she’s having such fun with the guys. Mrs. Touchett says she’ll stay up too, if she must. Isabel, confused, doesn’t get what her aunt means by this. They have a little spat – Mrs. Touchett reminds Isabel that she’s not in Albany anymore. Isabel gives in and says she’ll go to bed.

Mrs. Touchett explains to Isabel that, in England, proper ladies are not supposed to stay up at night alone with men. This is news to Isabel, and she asks that her aunt always tell her of different social standards she might not know about.

Mrs. Touchett asks Isabel if she only wants to know about the rules just so she can rebel against them. Isabel coolly says that she would like to choose whether to obey or not.

“She was intelligent and generous; it was a fine free nature; but what was she going to do with herself? This question was irregular, for with most women one had no occasion to ask it. Most women did with themselves nothing at all; they waited, attitudes more or less gracefully passive, for a man to come that way and furnish them with a destiny. Isabel’s originality was that she gave one an impression of having intentions of her own. ‘Whenever she executes them,’ said Ralph, ‘may I be there to see!’” (65)

“‘Of course you’re vexed at my interfering with you,’ said Mrs. Touchett.

Isabel considered. ‘I’m not vexed, but I’m surprised— and a good deal mystified. Wasn’t it proper I should remain in the drawing-room?’

‘Not in the least. Young girls here—in decent houses— don’t sit alone with the gentlemen late at night.’

‘You were very right to tell me then,’ said Isabel. ‘I don’t understand it, but I’m very glad to know it.’

‘I shall always tell you,’ her aunt answered, ‘whenever I see you taking what seems to me too much liberty.’

‘Pray do; but I don’t say I shall always think your remonstrance just.’‘Very likely not. You’re too fond of your own ways.’‘Yes, I think I’m very fond of them. But I always want to know the

things one shouldn’t do.’‘So as to do them?’ asked her aunt.‘So as to choose,’ said Isabel.” (69)

CHAPTER 8Lord Warburton invites Isabel over to his estate,

Lockleigh. Mrs. Touchett and Ralph plan to go, too. Lord Warburton has two brothers and four sisters, two unmarried and two married.

Ralph and Isabel discuss Lord Warburton. Ralph thinks Lord Warburton is miserable because, amidst his luxuries, he doesn’t know what he should be. Mr. Touchett says that people like Lord Warburton, whose politics are rather radical, wait until he’s dead to start a revolution in England.

Mr. Touchett lists all of Lord Warburton’s most prestigious social roles and says that, even if there were a revolution, no one would hurt Lord Warburton because everyone’s too fond of him.

CHAPTER 9Lord Warburton’s unmarried sisters visit

Gardencourt. The two sisters invite Isabel to Lockleigh for lunch, and Isabel accepts. Isabel tells Ralph that she’d like to be more like the two sisters, who are more "quiet and reasonable and satisfied.“ Ralph hopes just the opposite.

Isabel, Ralph, and Mrs. Touchett visit Lockleigh a few days later. Isabel talks with the two sisters about Lord Warburton’s stance as a radical. Isabel seems dissatisfied with the image the Misses Molyneux paint of Lord Warburton; she wants to hear that Lord Warburton would sacrifice his houses and comforts for the cause.

Lord Warburton walks with Isabel separately. He asks her to visit Lockleigh more often. Isabel says that such arrangements are up to Mrs. Touchett. Lord Warburton thinks this is a coy act – and that Isabel can act for herself.

Lord Warburton says that Isabel charms him. He says it in a way that makes Isabel a little nervous, so she tells him that she won’t return to Lockleigh. Lord Warburton says that he will visit her at Gardencourt next week.

Isabel thinks of the books she’s read, which say that English people are the most romantic people. She is afraid of Warburton’s romantic approaches towards her.

Before they rejoin the group, Lord Warburton says that he will visit Isabel next week. Isabel is surprised at his behavior. She’s flattered by it, but also feels nervous.

• Isabel's developing relationship with Lord Warburton

• Warburton is an aristocratic lord who uses his power to advocate anti- aristocratic political reform.

• the theme of social class• Warburton's sisters: not even individual enough to

obtain first names in the novel; they are simply the height of conformity and convention: calm, submissive, and thoughtless (the opposite of what Isabel seems to want out of life).

• the conflict Isabel experiences between independence and social convention

CHAPTER 10Henrietta Stackpole writes Isabel from London to announce her

arrival. Isabel arranges for her to visit Gardencourt.Ralph expresses his doubt in journalists, joking that Henrietta will

probably write about their lives at Gardencourt. Isabel insists that she would not. Isabel claims that Henrietta is courageous and completely independent from men. She suggests that Henrietta write about Lord Warburton, who will be visiting soon. Henrietta is intrigued and appalled by Ralph’s lack of occupation.

Ralph shows Henrietta the family painting collection. Henrietta accuses Ralph of giving up his Americanness. Ralph says that that’s not possible, since your country is born into you. Henrietta claims that marriage is a duty. Ralph accuses Henrietta of not fulfilling that duty also.

Ralph confesses to Isabel that Henrietta disturbs him for the very same reasons that Isabel loves her: she embodies the spirit of America.

CHAPTER 11Henrietta and Mrs. Touchett do not agree on anything.

Henrietta dislikes the fact that Mrs. Touchett has denied her American ties, and Mrs. Touchett finds Henrietta too vulgar and forward.

Henrietta tells Isabel about an encounter she had with Caspar Goodwood. She tells Isabel that Caspar arrived in London with her, with the aim to see Isabel. Isabel is not very excited to see Caspar, although it is unclear what her actual feelings about him are. Henrietta sees that Isabel’s stay at Gardencourt has changed her. Isabel hopes so, since she wants everything to influence her.

Isabel receives a letter from Caspar. The letter expresses his wish to see her, announces his coming arrival in England, and expresses the thought that he only wants to be where she is.

CHAPTER 12Isabel has just finished reading Caspar Goodwood's letter when Lord Warburton appears. As they stroll through the grounds, Lord Warburton takes the opportunity to tell Isabel how much he cares for her. He then proposes to her. Isabel is rather stunned and maintains that they do not know each other. Lord Warburton points out that he knows himself very well and knows that Isabel is the only person he will ever care for.Isabel explains that she simply does not want to marry and that she certainly cannot accept his proposal now. He suggests that she consider it and write to him later. She promises to write very soon but warns him not to hope for a favorable answer. Isabel swiftly realizes that she does not want to marry him.

CHAPTER 13Isabel needs to talk to someone about the proposal, and

she decides to confide in Mr. Touchett. Mr. Touchett already knows about the proposal because Lord Warburton wrote him a letter stating his intentions.

Mr. Touchett figures Isabel is waiting to see if a better man comes along, but Isabel insists that she does not know her exact reasons of her refusal except that she doesn't wish to marry anyone at the present moment.

We learn more about Caspar Goodwood: He studied at Harvard College, where he was known as a star gymnast and member of the crew team. The son of a cotton-mill owner, Caspar has a skill for mechanics and patented a new cotton-spinning technique. All in all, he’s a successful and enterprising young businessman.

Isabel considers the cons of Goodwood: He always dresses in the same way, his jaw is too square, and his posture too stiff. Oh, yeah — and she doesn’t think she’s in love with him.

Isabel mentally compares Caspar Goodwood with Lord Warburton and feels that she cannot commit herself to either of them. She writes Lord Warburton a letter thanking him, but rejecting his proposal. She decides not to write to Caspar Goodwood in order to discourage him.

Henrietta Stackpole asks Ralph for help. Henrietta is determined to match Isabel with Caspar Goodwood. She insists that Isabel marry an American man and believes that Caspar is, as they say, the Right One.

Henrietta asks Ralph to invite Caspar to Gardencourt. Reluctantly, Ralph does; fortunately, Caspar replies that he is busy. Henrietta suggests that she and Isabel visit London in order to see more of English society. Isabel, always wanting to experience more, agrees. Ralph also decides to join the party.

CHAPTER 14Lord Warburton and the older Miss Molyneux come

to Gardencourt for lunch. Henrietta Stackpole asks Lord Warburton a bunch of questions about the English aristocracy, and Lord Warburton replies politely.

Lord Warburton questions Isabel about her refusal. She tries to explain that in marrying him, she would be attempting to escape from her fate. She feels that she would be gaining so much that she would then have no opportunity to confront her real destiny. For some reason, she fears that she cannot find happiness by avoiding the perils of life, and in marrying Lord Warburton, she would be trying to do that.

CHAPTER 15 Mrs. Touchett would have liked Isabel to accept Lord

Warburton’s marriage proposal. Ralph accompanies Isabel and Henrietta to London.

In London, left alone with Isabel, Ralph tells her that he has been informed of Lord Warburton's proposal. Ralph questions Isabel about her intentions and is fascinated with the idea of what Isabel could do with her life now that she has shown the independence to refuse such a magnificent proposal. Isabel justifies her refusal by saying that she loves the unexpected in life, and a marriage with Lord Warburton would have been too determined and definitely marked out in advance. She further explains that she wants to have more experience before resigning herself to marriage.

Ralph devotes a lot of thought to Isabel; she’s still a fascinating mystery to him.

CHAPTER 16

Alone in her room, Isabel receives Caspar Goodwood's card and she consents to see him. She is greatly surprised and somewhat disappointed. Goodwood reasserts his love for Isabel and expresses his fear that she will end up marrying some European. She tells him that she has already had that opportunity, and at present, she wants nothing but her own liberty and freedom. She refuses to make any definite commitments.

CHAPTER 17Isabel is also proud that she has demonstrated the

thing she has wanted all along: freedom. She thinks that her refusal of Casper is a visible sign of her commitment to her independence. When Henrietta returns, Isabel tells her that she was wrong to arrange the meeting with Caspar. Henrietta says that Isabel is acting ridiculous by allowing her romantic notions of Europe to make her forget her practical American values—she says that if Isabel marries one of her European acquaintances, Henrietta will cease to be her friend.

Henrietta decides to stay in London in order to get word from Mr. Bantling and Lady Pensil.

Ralph arrives with the news that Mr. Touchett’s health has declined. He goes to fetch a renowned doctor. Isabel insists on going with Ralph, and checks out of the hotel.

Henrietta gives her regrets to Ralph, with the assumption that this will be her last time seeing Mr. Touchett. She tells Ralph that Caspar Goodwood came to see Isabel last night. Ralph is saddened by the thought that Isabel would have lied to him about expecting a visitor. When Henrietta tells Ralph that Isabel rejected Caspar again, he is relieved that Isabel didn’t deceive him.

Henrietta decides to talk with Caspar and encourage him not to give up on Isabel.

CHAPTER 18Ralph and Isabel return to Gardencourt. Isabel hears music playing and

to her surprise, she finds a lovely stranger playing Schubert on the piano. The stranger is Madame Merle, Mrs. Touchett’s good friend. She is an American who met Mrs. Touchett in Florence. When Isabel later questions Ralph about Madame Merle, he tells her that she is the cleverest woman he has ever known. "She does everything beautifully. She's complete."

Mr. Touchett’s health declines rapidly. He wants Ralph to marry Isabel. Ralph admits that he thinks very fondly of Isabel, but is not in love with her. Ralph instead asks his father to split his inheritance money in two and give one half to Isabel. He wishes to give Isabel freedom from worrying about money. He knows she has a big imagination and wants to enable her to do whatever she’d like, without depending on a man.

Mr. Touchett worries that this would give her too much freedom, and that fortune hunters would pursue her. Ralph says he’s not too worried about that happening. Mr. Touchett consents to Ralph’s wishes.

CHAPTER 19

Isabel grows quite close to Madame Merle, who seems to be almost perfect to her—she is graceful, talented, and interesting. Madame Merle mostly asks Isabel about her life. She enjoys listening to Isabel’s thoughts, and finds the girl altogether delightful.

Madame Merle promises Isabel that she will someday tell about her life, but she has friends, especially an American named Gilbert Osmond, whom she wants Isabel to know.

Isabel hears of her uncle's death.

CHAPTER 20Some weeks later in London, Madame Merle

pays Mrs. Touchett a visit and learns that Mr. Touchett left Isabel a fortune. She thinks immediately what a clever girl Isabel must be for getting this wealth left to her.

Soon thereafter, Isabel journeys to Paris with her aunt. There she meets Edward Rosier, whom she had known as a child. She also sees Henrietta again. Henrietta tells her that Mr. Touchett made a mistake in leaving Isabel so much money. Henrietta is afraid that it might ruin Isabel.

CHAPTER 21Mrs. Touchett goes to San Remo, Italy to visit her son. Isabel decides to go with her. Isabel asks Ralph whether he knew about the inheritance that Mr. Touchett left for her. Isabel does not seem to know what to do with herself, now that she is wealthy. Ralph recommends that Isabel think less and just enjoy her life with the new means she has received. Isabel agrees with Ralph’s advice.Isabel confesses that she’s afraid of the freedom a large amount of money can bring. Ralph says that it is only a problem for the weak, and Isabel is most certainly not weak. After talking with Ralph, Isabel feels better and more comfortable with her new wealthy persona.

CHAPTER 22Six months after Mr. Touchett’s death, Gilbert

Osmond, and his fifteen-year-old daughter Pansy are sitting in Mr. Osmond’s house, near Florence, Italy. Pansy has just returned from a convent school.

Madame Merle tells him about a beautiful twenty-three-year-old girl named Isabel Archer, who has inherited half the Touchett fortune. She wants him to marry her. Gilbert says that he has no interest in marrying. Merle insists, reminding him that he has no money of his own, and Isabel's fortune could provide a dowry for Pansy. As she watches Pansy playing outside, Merle notes that the girl does not like her.

CHAPTER 23Madame Merle returns to Mrs. Touchett’s home

in Florence.Madame Merle recommends Osmond to Isabel

once more, telling her of his impressive traits. Osmond pays a visit and invites Isabel to visit

him at home and meet his daughter. During the visit, Isabel keeps silent; she is impressed with Osmond's refined manner, and he seems to catch her imagination. Isabel talks to Ralph about Osmond; Ralph says that he is indeed very refined but seems to have no other qualities. But he reminds her that she should judge people for herself.

CHAPTER 24Merle takes Isabel to visit Gilbert Osmond's house.

Looking at the imposing villa from the outside, Isabel has the impression that once you were inside, it would be very difficult to get out.

Osmond says that he has sacrificed everything but his devotion to art and good taste—Isabel is again impressed with his refinement and his obvious taste. He tells her that, though he has lived a life of renunciation, he will soon need to find a source of income, because he must provide for his daughter.

CHAPTER 25

The Countess Gemini tells Madame Merle that she does not agree with her scheme to manipulate Isabel into marrying her brother and that it is not fair to trick a remarkable woman such as Isabel. The Countess comments that she is frightened for Isabel's future.

CHAPTER 26 Over the next weeks, Gilbert Osmond begins to visit Mrs

Touchett’s house so often that Mrs. Touchett realizes that he must be interested in Isabel. Merle pretends not to have noticed but promises to try to find out by asking Osmond. Countess Gemini believes that her brother will make a terrible husband. She says that there is nothing special in him, yet he’s full of himself.

Mrs. Touchett and Ralph discuss Osmond’s intentions with Isabel. Ralph is still convinced that Isabel will have lots of suitors in her life, and she will not accept any of them.

Mrs. Touchett hopes Isabel has the good sense not to fall for Osmond, who is very clearly socially inferior to Lord Warburton.

Mrs. Touchett figures that if Isabel does want to marry Osmond, then no one could do anything about it, not even Ralph.

To Countess Gemini’s annoyance, she learns that Isabel is very rich. She thinks it a pity that such a fine person should be sacrificed simply for her money, and worries about what her brother will do to the girl.

Mr. Bantling will take Henrietta to Rome, and Ralph volunteers to go with Isabel.

Osmond expresses his wish to go with them to Rome. Isabel encourages the idea.

CHAPTER 27Isabel greatly enjoys touring Rome with her friends. After

they have been there for some time, Isabel is shocked to encounter Lord Warburton on the street. He has been traveling in the east and is now on his way back to England. He tells Isabel that he has been unable to forget her and that he has even written her a number of letters which he has not sent. Isabel is happy to see Warburton, though she fears it will be inconvenient for him to be in Rome. And she is right: one day, as she and Lord Warburton are touring Saint Peter's, when she suddenly comes face-to-face with Gilbert Osmond, who says that he has come to Rome because of Isabel. Isabel worries that Warburton will have heard about Osmond. Warburton walks away with Ralph, and the men speculate about whether Isabel is in love with Gilbert Osmond. Ralph assures Warburton that Isabel is looking for something entirely different.

CHAPTER 28When Lord Warburton learns that Ralph and Isabel are at the theatre, he follows them there. It hurts him to see Isabel and Gilbert Osmond seated next to one another. The next day, Warburton tells Isabel that he is leaving Rome, because he is unable to stand being near Isabel in these circumstances. Two days later, Isabel meets Warburton again at an art gallery. She is there with her friends, including Osmond. Lord Warburton tells Isabel that he is not only leaving the museum, but leaving Rome as well. For a moment, Isabel wants to stop him, but then wishes him a good journey. Isabel is alone after Lord Warburton leaves, accompanied by art objects. Osmond creeps up behind her, and is glad to find her alone. Osmond rejoices in Isabel’s behavior toward Lord Warburton, because he knows that Warburton is a man superior to himself. If Isabel is strong enough to turn down Lord Warburton, then Osmond figures that she is the woman for him. He wants to add her to his collection of beautiful and precious things.

CHAPTER 29Isabel’s aunt is taking her for a visit to another part

of Italy. Isabel accepts and bids Osmond good-bye. Osmond tells her that he finds himself in love with her. Isabel is not offended by his declaration, even though he tries to explain that he has nothing to offer her except his love. He asks her to come back, for he has many more things to say to her. Since he is staying in Rome, he requests Isabel to visit his daughter. Isabel is glad to promise that. Isabel has been fantasizing about being in love with Osmond, but now that he has confessed his love, she feels strangely oppressed. She feels as though there is a space inside her that she is unable to cross, but that if she could cross it, she could return Gilbert's love.

CHAPTER 30

Back at Florence, Isabel tells Madame Merle of her promise to visit Pansy. When Isabel meets Pansy again, she finds the young lady to be very quaint and charming. They discuss Osmond, and Pansy tells how she lives just to please her father. Isabel agrees with her that it is very important to obey and please him.

CHAPTER 31

Isabel and Madame Merle tour Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. Returning from this trip, Isabel stays three weeks with Madame Merle and sees Gilbert Osmond every day. She then goes to her aunt's house for a visit, after a year of separation.

CHAPTER 32Isabel has not told anyone about her

engagement to Gilbert Osmond except Caspar Goodwood and Madame Merle. As soon as Caspar Goodwood hears that Isabel is engaged, he comes straight to Florence to see her. Isabel receives him in her aunt's house. He tells her frankly that he is disappointed and is selfish enough to wish her anything except marriage to another man. Isabel knows that her friends do not like Mr. Osmond, but she says that she doesn't marry to please her friends.

CHAPTER 33-34Isabel goes to tell Mrs. Touchett about her engagement. Mrs.

Touchett is shocked, realizing that Merle has tricked her, having convinced her not to interfere in Isabel and Gilbert's romance by promising to end it herself. Mrs. Touchett complains that there is no reason to marry Osmond; he has neither name nor fortune.

Some days later Ralph arrives. He does not speak of the matter for some time. He then tells her that he fears that she is going to be put into a cage and he reminds her that she used to love her liberty and that it is not the type of marriage he thought she would make. He is disappointed that she has settled for something so low. Furthermore, he can't get over the feeling that Osmond is "small . . . narrow, selfish. Ralph also confesses to Isabel that he loves her, but he says he has no hope of ever acting on his love or having it returned.

CHAPTER 35Isabel doesn’t tell Osmond that her family and friends think so poorly of him. She doesn’t care what everyone else thinks, and is glad that she is marrying someone only to please herself. Her love for Osmond has somehow separated her from everyone else she cares about. Osmond tells Isabel that he figures her relations don’t approve of him because of the class difference. He has no money, and, therefore, that must be why they don’t like him. Osmond tells her that she shouldn’t worry that he’s marrying her for the money. Osmond and Isabel plan to stay in Italy, since that is where their entire relationship has taken place.When Osmond tells his daughter the good news, Pansy congratulates Isabel. Pansy says that she is glad about the engagement for her father’s sake. She will be glad to have Isabel for a model, as well. Countess Gemini offers to tell Isabel all about her husband, and asks Pansy to leave the room. Isabel insists that she stay, saying that she only wants to hear what Pansy would be allowed to hear.

CHAPTER 36Three years pass. A young man named Edward

Rosier, who was friendly with Isabel and Madame Merle in Paris, calls on Madame Merle in Rome. He asks her for help him to marry Pansy; he and Pansy love one another, but he suspects that Pansy's father will oppose their marriage. He wants to speak to Isabel about it, but Madame Merle warns him that Isabel has no standing in her marriage—she is barely treated as part of the family. Instead, she and Gilbert disagree about everything and seem to despise one another. She also reveals that Isabel gave birth to a son two years ago, but he died when he was only six months old.

CHAPTER 37Rosier goes to greet Osmond, who is standing by the fireplace.

Osmond is insufferably rude to him. Rosier speaks to Isabel, implying to her that he is interested in Pansy. Rosier goes near Pansy. Once people have left the room, the two talk alone. He tells Pansy that he likes her, and asks if she likes him in return. Pansy admits that she does.

Madame Merle talks with Osmond. Osmond clearly does not approve of him, and tells Madame Merle to make it clear that Rosier should forget about Pansy.

Rosier appeals to Isabel, but Isabel tells him that Osmond cares too much for money to let him marry Pansy. Rosier makes a rude comment, saying that it is obvious that Osmond cares a lot for money. Isabel is offended and walks off. Rosier approaches her again and apologizes. Isabel says that she cannot help him.

CHAPTER 38Rosier tries to convince Osmond that his daughter loves him

as much as he loves her, but Osmond doesn’t care. He coldly states that Pansy will feel whatever Osmond wants her to feel.

Osmond presents Isabel with a visiting friend: Lord Warburton. Lord Warburton tells Isabel that he accompanied Ralph to Rome and that Ralph’s health is much worse, and he hopes she’ll come to visit him soon. Isabel is prepared to leave immediately, but Lord Warburton tells her that the next morning will be fine.

Lately, Ralph’s health has been declining rapidly. He had been staying alone at Gardencourt, but it wasn’t good for him. Mrs. Touchett is in America, and, as is her way, won’t let anything ruin her trip, not even her son’s illness.

Isabel is relieved that Lord Warburton does not make any mention of their unsuccessful romantic past.

Lord Warburton asks if Isabel is happy, and she replies that she is very happy. Isabel suggests that she is more accommodating now, and that she will accept other people’s ideas and proposals. Isabel offers to introduce Lord Warburton to people, but he says that the only person who captures his fancy is Pansy.

Pansy says that she will not disobey her father’s wishes; however, she loves Rosier as much as she loves her father. Rosier worries that her father will change Pansy’s mind, but Pansy claims that will never happen. She will ask Isabel for help.

Rosier worries that Isabel won’t do anything because she is afraid of Osmond. Pansy states that Isabel is not afraid of anything.

CHAPTER 39Isabel has distanced herself from all her old

friends, including Henrietta, whom Osmond despises, and Mrs. Touchett, whose friendship with Madame Merle has been destroyed by Merle's deceitful role in helping Osmond win Isabel.

Warburton tells Ralph about his intention to marry Pansy. Maybe, he only wants to marry Pansy to make himself a part of Isabel's life.

CHAPTER 40 Isabel discovers Merle’s role in arranging her

marriage to Osmond and also that Merle’s relation with Osmond is more intimate than she formerly thought. Madame Merle also mentions that Isabel could use her influence over Lord Warburton to benefit Pansy. Isabel is surprised to find that Madame Merle knows of Lord Warburton’s proposal to her. Mrs. Touchett had told her. Madame Merle and Isabel both agree that Lord Warburton would be a smarter match for Pansy than Rosier.

CHAPTER 41

Lord Warburton calls on the Osmond household often to visit with Isabel and Pansy.

Isabel wants to please Osmond, marrying Pansy to Warburton. Osmond is certain that Isabel will side with Pansy marrying Rosier. The couple obviously has an antagonistic relationship. Osmond commands Isabel to use her influence on Lord Warburton to get him to propose to Pansy.

CHAPTER 42Isabel reviews her life. She wonders if Lord Warburton is in fact

interested in Pansy because he still has love for her. This thought leads her to re-examine her marriage with Osmond. Osmond has gradually gained total control of Isabel, who was once so proud and independent. She tried to conform to his wishes until she realized that he wanted her to change her completely. He wanted her to become a slave to him and to act as he wanted her to. Yet, she knew that she was a distinct individual and had to abide by her own nature. This caused her husband to hate her. Her real offence was her having a mind of her own.

Isabel and Osmond have barely been speaking to one another. Isabel knows that Osmond is upset and jealous about Ralph’s stay in Rome.

Isabel has not told Ralph how miserable her life is. She thinks that it is better for him to think that he was wrong all along. She can’t dismiss the idea that Osmond and Merele were conspiring against her.

CHAPTER 43Isabel accompanies Pansy to a ball, where they once again

encounter both Rosier and Lord Warburton. Isabel can tell that Rosier really does love Pansy, and that staying away from her tortures him. Osmond has ordered Pansy to avoid him. Lord Warburton asks Isabel about Rosier, never having been introduced to him. He clearly sympathizes with the young man, although Isabel calls him his rival. Isabel lets it slip that Pansy does care for Rosier, and Lord Warburton is surprised to hear that Pansy would do something without her father’s approval.

When asked if he’s really in love with Pansy, Warburton simply replies that he’s forty-two – presumably too old now to truly fall in love. Isabel leaves the room and tells Rosier that she is willing to help him. Isabel reminds Lord Warburton to send his letter to Osmond. They all prepare to go home from the ball.

CHAPTER 44Henrietta visits the Countess Gemini in

Florence and tells her that she is worried that Isabel is unhappy and that she is going to Rome. The Countess is also going to Rome to visit her brother and surprises Henrietta by telling her that Lord Warburton is also in Rome and apparently still in love with Isabel. Henrietta then goes to speak to Caspar Goodwood, whom she encourages to come to Rome as well, for Isabel's sake.

CHAPTER 45Isabel goes to visit Ralph, knowing well that Osmond doesn’t

approve of it. Isabel asks Ralph about Lord Warburton, and Ralph admits that he is very much in love… but with Isabel, not Pansy. Isabel laments that Ralph is not helping her, which is the one instance in which she suggests that she actually needs help. Ralph confesses that he hopes Lord Warburton doesn’t go for Pansy, since that would make his and Isabel’s relationship very difficult. Ralph wants to hear Isabel confess how horrible her life has been as Mrs. Osmond, but she still hides her misery.

Isabel talks with Pansy that night, in order to hear Pansy’s thoughts from her own mouth. Finally, we see that Pansy has her own thoughts and feelings. Pansy confesses that she loves Rosier and will remain loyal to him. She would rather be alone than married to anyone else. However, Isabel is persistent in carrying out Osmond’s wishes, emphasizing to Pansy that she must not disobey her father. Pansy says that she’d rather not be with anyone, if not Rosier.

CHAPTER 46Lord Warburton has not called or written, and Osmond holds

Isabel responsible. Osmond assumes that Isabel has a hand in Warburton’s sudden absence, and demands that she correct it. At this moment, Lord Warburton arrives at the Osmonds’ and announces his departure for England. He invites the Osmonds to visit him and stay at Lockleigh. Osmond and Isabel both realize that Lord Warburton is no longer pursuing Pansy. Osmond leaves the two friends alone.

Lord Warburton expresses his wish for Isabel to visit him in England. Pansy comes to bid adieu to Lord Warburton, and she is close to tears. Pansy seems glad to be rid of Lord Warburton.

Osmond accuses Isabel of having played a game against him. He thinks that Isabel has worked to turn Lord Warburton away from Pansy. Osmond says that there is still hope that they might still take Lord Warburton up on his offer to visit England.

CHAPTERS 47-48

Isabel finally confesses to Henrietta that she is unhappy. Isabel claims that she cannot leave Osmond because it would damage her pride. She made the choice to marry him so deliberately and publicly, it would be embarrassing to confess its failure.

CHAPTERS 49-51When Madame Merle confronts Isabel about her role

in Lord Warburton's departure from Rome, Isabel is shocked by Merle's interference—she sounds as though she is speaking as Osmond's representative, and not merely as an acquaintance of the family. Propriety would dictate that the entire incident is none of Madame Merle's business, but Merle questions Isabel about it as though she, and not Isabel, was Osmond's wife. Isabel feels again that Madame Merle plays a powerful role in her life.

Mrs. Touchett writes Isabel that Ralph is near death and asks Isabel to come at once. When Isabel tells Osmond this news, he forbids her to leave Rome.

The Countess Gimmini urges Isabel to defy Osmond and leave Rome. But Isabel is haunted by the memory of her wedding vows, which she does not wish to break. The Countess tells Isabel that Osmond has lied to her: his first wife did not die during childbirth, because she was never pregnant. Pansy's mother is Madame Merle. Madame Merle and Osmond have been lovers for years; Osmond's first wife died around the time Pansy was born, so they simply claimed that she had died in childbirth and put Pansy in a convent. Merle chose Isabel to marry Osmond both because Pansy needed a mother—she dislikes Merle, her real mother—and because Isabel has money for Pansy's dowry. Isabel realizes that this explains why Merle was so upset when she thought Isabel had encouraged Warburton not to marry Pansy.

CHAPTERS 52-55Caspar Goodwood arrives in order to attend Ralph's

funeral. Isabel wonders whether she can bring herself to go back to Rome. She tries not to think about the problem. Isabel meets Lord Warburton; she congratulates him on his marriage. Suddenly, Caspar Goodwood approaches her. He says that Ralph has asked him to help her, and he urges her not to return to Rome, but instead to leave with him. He feels that she loves him very much.

The next day, Goodwood finds Henrietta and asks her where Isabel has gone. Henrietta says that Isabel has returned to her husband in Rome. Goodwood is stunned; Henrietta takes him by the arm and leads him away.

PLOT• Isabel Archer is a young woman who lives in Albany,

New York with her father and two sister, after the death of her mother. Her father allows her to educate herself, which encourages her independence. She gets the reputation of being an independent and intellectual woman, which intimidates men.

• She refuses Caspar Goodwood, an American businessman because she feels that to marry him would be to sacrifice her freedom.

• Shortly after Isabel's father dies, she receives a visit from her aunt, Mrs. Touchett, an American who lives in Florence, Italy. Mrs. Touchett offers to take Isabel on a trip to Europe, and Isabel eagerly agrees.

• Isabel arrives in England with her aunt. Mrs Touchett’s husband is a rich banker. Isabel makes a strong impression on everyone at Mr. Touchett's county manor of Gardencourt: her cousin Ralph, slowly dying of a lung disorder, becomes deeply interested in her, and the Touchetts' aristocratic neighbor Lord Warburton falls in love with her.

• Warburton proposes, but Isabel refuses him because she believes that marriage would damage her independence.

• Isabel's friend Henrietta Stackpole, an American journalist, believes that Europe is changing Isabel. Henrietta arranges for Caspar Goodwood to meet Isabel in London. She still rejects him.

• Mr. Touchett's health declines, and Ralph convinces him to leave half his wealth to Isabel so that she will never have to marry for money. Mr. Touchett agrees before he dies.

• Madame Merle, Mrs. Touchett's friend, is interested in Isabel, and the two women become close friends.

• Isabel travels to Florence with Mrs. Touchett and Madame Merle; Merle introduces Isabel to Gilbert Osmond, a man of no social standing or wealth, but whom Merle describes as one of the finest gentlemen in Europe, wholly devoted to art.

• Merle arranges Isabel’s marriage to Osmond so that he will have access to her money. Osmond is pleased to marry Isabel, mostly because of her money.

• Everyone of Isabel's relatives and friends disapproves of Osmond, especially Ralph, but Isabel chooses to marry him anyway.

• Three years into their marriage, Isabel and Osmond have come to despise one another; they live with Pansy, his daughter, in Rome, where Osmond treats Isabel as barely a member of the family: to him, she is a social hostess and a source of wealth, and he is annoyed by her independence and her insistence on having her own opinions. Isabel suffers from Osmond's arrogance, his selfishness, and his desire to crush her individuality, but she does not consider leaving him. Isabel is committed to her social duty, and when she married Osmond, she did so with the intention of transforming herself into a good wife.

• A young American art collector who lives in Paris, Edward Rosier, comes to Rome and falls in love with Pansy; Pansy returns his feelings. But Osmond is determined that Pansy should marry a nobleman, and he says that Rosier is neither rich nor highborn enough.

• Lord Warburton arrives and shows interest in Pansy. Warburton is still in love with Isabel and wants to marry Pansy only to get closer to her.

• But Osmond wants to see Pansy married to Warburton. Isabel is torn between her desire to fulfill her duty to her husband and help him arrange the match between Warburton and Pansy, and her her conscience, which tells her to discourage Warburton, while helping Pansy to marry Rosier.

• When Warburton knows about Rosier, he admits that he is not in love with Pansy and decides to leave Rome.

• Osmond is furious with Isabel, convinced that she is plotting against him. Madame Merle is also furious with her, confronting her with shocking impropriety and demanding to know what she did to Warburton.

• Isabel realizes that there is something mysterious about Madame Merle's relationship with her husband; now, she suddenly realizes that Merle is his lover.

• Isabel receives word that Ralph is dying. She wants to travel to England to be with him, but Osmond forbids it. Now Isabel must struggle to decide whether to obey his command and remain true to her marriage vows or to disregard him and hurry to her cousin's bedside.

• Osmond's sister, the Countess Gemini, tells her that Merle is Pansy's mother. Osmond's wife died at about the same time, so Merle and Osmond spread the story that she died in childbirth. Pansy was placed in a convent to be raised, and she does not know that Merle is her real mother.

• Isabel is shocked and disgusted by her husband's, so she decides to follow her heart and travel to England.

• After Ralph's death, Isabel struggles to decide whether to return to her husband or not. She promised Pansy that she would return to Rome, and her commitment to social propriety impels her to go back and honor her marriage. But her independent spirit urges her to flee from Osmond and find happiness elsewhere. Caspar Goodwood appears at the funeral, and afterwards, he asks Isabel to run away with him and forget about her husband. The next day, unable to find her, Goodwood asks Henrietta where she has gone. Henrietta quietly tells him that Isabel has returned to Rome, unable to break away from her marriage to Gilbert Osmond.